CILT: Logistics delivers Olympic success

Aided by lower than expected traffic levels the industry was well able to keep shops, offices, factories and homes well stocked during the duration of the Olympics and Paralympics, despite the need to contend with road closures, traffic restrictions, loading bans and time restrictions. The sector rose to the challenge and delivered a gold medal performance.

Now, in the post-Games environment, the industry takes a moment to evaluate the lessons learned by the experience and, hopefully, to learn the lessons of temporary plans and to utilise their benefits on a permanent basis.

The logistics industry has been a prime mover in the adoption of advanced IT equipment and programming for many years. Computer aided routing and scheduling schemes, vehicle utilisation, mobile communications and smart stock re-ordering and replacement, have all helped to reduce journey times and empty running, cut inventory levels, and reduce vehicle operating costs. During the Games these facilities were enhanced by smart traffic information and the introduction in London of the freight journey planner which, updated every five minutes, provided the latest advice, information and guidance on how to deal with the changing traffic management conditions and environment and to maximise the efficiency of every journey.

In addition, special arrangements for the Games included residentfriendly night deliveries, increased business collaboration and consolidated deliveries, all holding the prospect of continued operation in the future to the benefit of fellow road users, local residents, retailers and the logistics sector itself.

Top of the pile appears to be the success of the arrangements to conduct increased numbers of deliveries both during the night and at the ‘shoulders’ of the normal delivery day – late in the evening and early in the morning. The temporary arrangements followed the construction of the TfL Quiet Delivery Code of Practice designed by the Noise Abatement Society, the Freight Transport Association and Transport for London. The code consisted of information and advice for planners, drivers and goods receivers relating to vehicles, equipment driver behaviour etc.

During the Games drivers and operators were reporting joy at the relative benefits of making deliveries ‘out-of-hours’ complete with the advantages of uncongested roads, available loading and unloading facilities, and a reduction in all of the consequent cost, congestion, emission and hassle which are a feature of daytime deliveries in the capital.

Swift movements at night
Drivers for an international brewery reported on the advantages of swift movements in London at night and said that customers receiving deliveries were far happier to work a little longer at the end of the day in order to receive a delivery, rather than having to go home and then return back during the morning to receive a delivery. Inevitably, that situation will be duplicated elsewhere.

And there appear to have been very few complaints from local residents relating to noise or other problems associated with night deliveries. Clearly there have been very considerable lessons learned from this particular exercise which could, and should, be adopted in future. Similarly positive was the policy and practice of local authorities.

Westminster City Council decided on a programme of education rather than ticketing of vehicle operators. During the Games the Council extended a pilot scheme which involved marshals providing drivers with guidance rather than fines. This resulted in a considerable reduction in the issue of penalty charge notices and improved cooperation between those making essential deliveries and those responsible for traffic management. At the time of writing the Council says that it will make a decision on the long term viability of the scheme in due course.

Increased collaboration involving deliveries from rival providers has been a feature of progress in the industry in recent years. Restrictions on deliveries to the Olympic venues, and to major retail sites close by, encouraged the advance of further collaboration involving consolidation of loads at one location for onward delivery to the final destination on a single vehicle. Again, there is an expectation that this sort of cooperation will become an even greater feature of future operations.

The Commissioner of Transport for London, the immediate Past- President of the CILT, Peter Hendy said: “I hope the lessons from the Games and the partnerships we have developed with the London business community will be a legacy for the future. We were able to meet our dual objectives of delivering a great Games and keeping London moving.”

Referring directly to the role of the logistics sector he said: “The London Olympics Games were a great success due in large part to the excellent planning and co-operation of the freight industry with partners including TfL, Traffic Commissioners, Games organisers and London boroughs. No supermarkets had empty shelves, no pubs ran out of beer, and no hospitals were short of blood.

“Freight operators and their customers played a crucial role in keeping London moving during the Games and we’re very grateful that they used the information available following our advice and planned ahead.”

Long Olympic legacy for transport
CILT Chief Executive Steve Agg said: “Undoubtedly the Olympics have been a great success for the UK. The logistics and transport sector played a major role in this success and should be congratulated on its contribution. Its efficiency and innovation in the face of the many challenges bodes well for future operations. CILT will be working hard to bring together all the lessons we have learned to ensure that they are not lost and the momentum gathered is maintained. I believe that, for transport and logistics, the Olympics legacy will be lasting and long term.”